Yellowknife Homelessness Report Card 2008 - YWCA Canada

... Transitional Home for MenFacilitiesThe ground floor consists ofadministrative offices, aprograms/board room, laundryfacilities and a large room currentlybeing used as a Thrift store.The second and third floors host 32rooms: 16 bachelor suites and 16bed-sit rooms which share acommon kitchen and lounge.In-house supports are in place toassist these men while they create,commit to and follow a personaldevelopment plan. A goal of theseplans is to reduce the physical,emotional, social and spiritualbarriers that may be keeping themen from succeeding in independentliving scenarios.Tenants can take time to stabilize,adjust to work, and develop healthyroutines and habits during their timein Bailey House. When appropriate,tenants can access housing on theirown with minimal support.Many Yellowknife residents dedicated theirMany Yellowknife residents dedicated theirtimetimeandandskillsskillstotocreatingcreatinguniqueuniquequiltsquiltsforforeacheachresidentresidentofofBaileyBaileyHouse.House.Celebrations & OpeningThe development of the Bailey Housewas marked with memorablecelebrations.Governor General Michaëlle Jeanattended in Yellowknife in June 2006for a sod-turning ceremony. MayorVan Tighem received a thank youletter from the Governor Generalextending her gratitude to thecommunity for a warm welcome. Inher letter, she noted that root causesof homelessness can vary from oneregion to the next. She commendedthe community for assessing theneeds of the community and initiatingprojects such as Bailey House.The official opening ceremony ofBailey House took place onDecember 12, 2008. Over 100members of the community gatheredto celebrate the occasion and tounveil the official plaque. Specialguests included Mr. Ernie Bailey, sonof the late Reverend Gordon andRuth Bailey, as well as ReginaldBailey and his wife Gwyn, nephew toGordon and Ruth Bailey. Stew andbannock were provided.Perhaps the best celebration waswhen men started to move into theirhomes in February 2009. This was amoment when the doors and windowstruly opened. “The Bailey House is a very good placeto be because it keeps you going for whatyou want and there’s always someone totalk to when you are down or thinkingabout doing something stupid.”“Being released from NSCC and goingthrough a divorce I really didn’t knowwhat I was going to do. The BaileyHouse was just opening up and WOW!What a blessing! It is a secureenvironment. The staff are just greatwhen you need someone to talk to. I amlearning to cook for myself andbecoming more independent each day.I am so happy that day by day my life is,for the first time, healthy and above allelse filled with happiness.” Built by the community, for the community, from the ground up 7